Daily News

NEW! Posted on Sept. 19: Students introduced to McMaster Alumni Association

McMaster students will get a taste of what it's like to be an alumni today. The McMaster Alumni Association is hosting "Infinite Possibilities" in the University Student Centre marketplace from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. "The event is a way for our office to let the student body know about what the McMaster Alumni Association does for our grads," says alumni advancement intern Ben Chapeldaine, one of several alumni staff that be will on hand to answer questions and provide information. "The Alumni gallery will also be set up for people to come and learn more about our grads." The event is an opportunity for current students to discover who makes their alumni association, he adds. Information about the association will be distributed and there will be free food, gifts, prizes, posters and music. Photo caption: Stephen Smith, third-year honours commerce student, views the Alumni Gallery display at "Infinite Possibilities". Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay

Posted on Sept. 18: Community Campaign launches with lunch

McMaster's annual Faculty, Staff and Retiree Community Campaign kicks off today. The event, on the Frank C. Miller Terrace of the McMaster University Student Centre (third flor) takes place from 12 to 1:30 p.m. The theme of this year's event is country and western and there will be a barbecue lunch, including appetizers, salads, drinks and dessert. There will also be draws for door prizes. The annual lunch-hour barbecue is held every September to mark the beginning of the campaign to raise awareness and participation among faculty, staff, and retirees in University fundraising. The goal of this year's annual fund campaign is to increase participation among faculty and staff.

Posted on Sept. 17: Spotlight shines on McMaster’s spinal cord research

When paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve credited activity-based recovery for a regained sensation in his fingers, wrists and legs, McMaster's Kathleen Martin was delighted, but not surprised. Martin and researchers in McMaster's Centre for Health Promotion and Rehabilitation have been working towards this for years. In her lab in the Ivor Wynne Centre, the assistant professor of kinesiology conducts research on the benefits of exercise for people with chronic disease and disability, including individuals with arthritis, heart disease and spinal cord injuries. With $122,097 from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, she's confident they will make great advances in this field. "Without a CIHR grant, our colleagues wouldn't be able to continue our research," she said at an announcement by health minister Anne McLellan at McMaster Tuesday. McLellan, who shone a spotlight on the work of Martin, toured her lab and spoke to those benefiting directly from her research. "It is research like Dr. Martin's that may one day allow people with these kinds of conditions, like Christopher Reeve, to move and increase their mobility," said McLellan. "This research will truly make a difference in the quality of life, not just for Canadians but for people around the world."

Posted on Sept. 17: Companies seek out McMaster students

Whether a student dreams of working for Ontario Power Generation, IBM or Research in Motion, Thursday is their chance to get a head start. Careers Day 2002, the biggest recruiting event of the year at McMaster, will be held in Burridge gymnasium in the Ivor Wynne Centre on Sept, 19 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hosted by the Career Planning and Employment Centre, this annual event brings several companies onto campus, looking to hire McMaster students for various positions within their organizations. More than 60 employers (including McMaster for the first time) will come on campus to recruit students. There will be a wine and cheese reception from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., followed by an employer awards ceremony.

Posted on Sept. 17: Canada’s innovation strategy develops at McMaster

Business, academic and youth leaders from across Hamilton and the Halton region are at McMaster University today to discuss Canada's innovation strategy. More than 100 attendees, representing area businesses, academic institutions and governments, are participating in facilitated dialogue discussions, a plenary session and hearing from a panel of innovation champions, including Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research and Doug Barber, former chair of McMaster's Board of Governors and Distinguished Professor-in-Residence in the Faculty of Engineering. The dialogue sessions are focused on four key themes: knowledge creation and commercialization; innovation policy and regulatory climate; skills and learning; and strengthening community capacity. Participants are discussing local and regional business productivity and spin-off issues, as well as innovation at the community level, while proposing solutions to a number of challenges. Other McMaster participants include President Peter George, Ken Norrie, provost and vice-president academic, Mo Elbestawi, dean of engineering, Chris Bart, director of the Management of Innovation and New Technology research centre in the School of Business and business professor Marvin Ryder.